What are the Early Signs of Orthodontic Problems?

Visibly crooked teeth are not the only reason to take your child into the orthodontist. There are some subtle things to look for as well, which may indicate the onset of more serious orthodontic issues. Many orthodontic issues are much easier to address if treated and corrected during a child's development.

Waiting until facial development is complete or until the permanent teeth have come in can make correction of many orthodontic issues more challenging. Both children and adults can benefit from orthodontic care at any age, but addressing issues early is almost always the ideal choice.

If you're wondering if you or your child might have need for orthodontic care, there are some things you can be on the lookout for. Here are some of the most common warning signs of orthodontic issues:

• Difficulty when chewing or biting
• Chronic mouth-breathing
• Sucking the thumb, the fingers, or any other oral sucking habits that continue after the age of six
• Overbite - when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth by more than 5mm
• Top front teeth that cover more than 25% of the bottom teeth while biting
• Underbite - when the top front teeth go behind the bottom row of teeth when biting
• Crowded, crooked, overlapped, misshapen, misplaced teeth or extra teeth of any size
• Crossbite - when one or more teeth tilt toward the cheek or toward the tongue causing excessive stress on the jawbone
• The center of the top and bottom teeth don't line up
• Uneven teeth-wearing
• Baby teeth coming out too early for the child's age
• Pain in jaws
• Clicking in the jaw joints
• The jaw shifts off-center while chewing or biting
• A jaw that protrudes, or recedes, too much
• Difficulty speaking or enunciating clearly
• Chronic biting of the inner cheek or roof of the mouth
• Asymmetrical facial structure
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth

If you notice that either you or your child has one or more of these conditions, they could be signs that there is a risk of orthodontic or health problems.  The sooner these problems are addressed, the wider and brighter you will be able to smile going forward!

What, exactly, is malocclusion?

Malocclusion, or what Dr. Meehan calls “bad bite,” is the improper alignment of teeth and/or jaws. When your teeth and jaws are not properly aligned, it may impact your bite, the ability to properly care for your teeth, your gum tissue health and even your appearance.

Most people experience some degree of malocclusion, but it generally is not severe enough to require corrective measures. If your malocclusion is serious enough, however, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct the issue.

Dr. Meehan will tell you that untreated malocclusion can lead undesirable mouth problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, or chipped and cracked teeth. The most common solution for malocclusion, of course, is orthodontic treatment. The actual course of treatment, including the length of time you will require braces, will be determined by severity of your malocclusion. The goal of your treatment is to move your teeth into the proper position and correct any misalignment in the jaw.

At Meehan Orthodontics, we use the most advanced technology in the field in order to ensure that you receive the best possible results. If you have any questions about malocclusion, please give us a call and we’ll try to answer any questions you may have.

Ask Dr. Meehan: Am I too old for braces?

Who’s afraid of “metal mouth” and the appearance of braces? Not adults, apparently. Recently, our staff at Meehan Orthodontics read a fascinating statistic: the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned and sparkling teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment with Dr. Meehan can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Meehan would love to have you visit for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up!

Meet Our Orthodontist

Dr. Meehan was born and raised in the Rocky Mountain region. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Meehan was inducted as member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society while attending Creighton University. Following a one year general practice residency and one year in private practice, Dr. Meehan completed a 3-year orthodontic residency from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada.

Along with certification in orthodontics, Dr. Meehan earned a Master of Clinical Dentistry degree for his research pertaining to the cements used to bond orthodontic brackets to teeth. His research work was published in the prestigious American Journal of Orthodontics and Dento-facial Orthopedics. Dr. Meehan is board certified and a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists. He is one of a few orthodontists in the state of Illinois to have completed a two-year post-graduate program with the Roth/Williams Institute for Orthodontic Diagnosis and Treatment Mechanics.

As a private practice orthodontist and resident of Palos Heights, Dr. Meehan believes that community involvement is very important. Dr. Meehan is active in Saint Alexander Church, and stays very busy coaching youth sports. When not in the office, Dr. Meehan enjoys spending time with his wife, Debbie, and their four children, Patrick, Colin, Madeline, and Catherine.

Dr. Meehan enjoys working with both children and adults, helping them achieve beautiful smiles. It is his goal to provide high quality orthodontics in a friendly and caring environment. He wants orthodontic treatment to be a positive experience for everyone.